As winter settles firmly across Downriver, Trenton is preparing to bring warmth, color, and community spirit back to its historic downtown. The Trenton Winter Fest, returning on Saturday, Jan. 17, promises a full day of family activities, live entertainment, food, art, and – new this year – a large-scale mural light show that organizers say will transform downtown in a way residents have never seen before.
The event runs from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., stretching throughout the Jefferson corridor and West Road, with activities clustered around the Roundhouse Cottages, Le Lieu and Riverside venues, and the Up Street parking lot. Visitors can expect everything from ice-carving demonstrations and fire pits to food trucks, yard games, pony rides, face painting, and artisan vendors.
“We’re super excited this year, especially about the mural mapping,” said Angelia Pusino, Director of the Trenton Downtown Development Authority. “We have 10 murals downtown, and the light show will essentially animate them, turning our artwork into a living, moving installation. It’s something fresh and new for the community, and we’ll also be expanding the mural mapping at our upcoming art festival in September.”
A festival designed to bring people together
Pusino says Winter Fest is intentionally spread across several venues to make it walkable and to encourage residents and visitors to explore different corners of the business district.
“We want people to experience all of downtown,” she said. “The idea is to stroll, stop for food or hot chocolate, watch the ice sculptors work, warm up by the fire pits, visit the vendors, and really take in everything that’s here. Winter Fest is about community connection as much as it is about celebration.”
Activities begin early in the afternoon with ice sculptures and fire pits lining West Jefferson. Vendors will be stationed at Roundhouse Cottages, Le Lieu, and the Riverside venue, while the Up Street parking lot will host a large portion of the family activities.
From 12 to 6 p.m., families will find food trucks, yard games, pony rides, a petting farm, and live entertainment. An ice-carving demonstration and face-painting station will also be set up at Up Street, giving kids hands-on, close-up views of icy creations taking shape throughout the day.
A second entertainment hub opens from 2 to 7 p.m. at the corner of West Road and West Jefferson, featuring additional food trucks, games, and another ice-carving demonstration.
The night caps off at 7 p.m. with the much-anticipated mural light show projected onto the large wall at Roundhouse Barbecue—a visual finale that Pusino says will become a signature artistic moment for the city.
“This is our first time launching the light show at Winter Fest, and we can’t wait to see how the community responds,” she said. “It adds a whole new creative dimension to downtown during the colder months. We want people to feel inspired and energized by what they see.”
Building momentum all winter long
Trenton Winter Fest is just one of a series of seasonal celebrations in the Downriver area. For families looking to make the most of the colder months, there are several other nearby events and activities to explore:
• Winter at Valade – Detroit Riverfront – Every Saturday & Sunday, Jan. 10 – Mar. 1. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s popular winter series returns with oversized bonfires, curling lessons, a Fire & Ice Festival weekend, Polar Power Walks, board games, warm drinks, and a Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 14. Free sleds are available on-site when conditions allow.
• Wayne County Winter Wonderland – Elizabeth Park, Trenton – Saturday, Feb. 7, 1–4 p.m. Elizabeth Park hosts a family-friendly celebration with ice-carving demos, hayrides, snowman-building (weather permitting), crafts, a bonfire, rock climbing, outdoor dance party, and winter hikes. It’s a relaxed and scenic event perfect for younger families.
• Sledding and Skating in Downriver
Sledding spots
• Taylor Sledding Hill – A neighborhood favorite after fresh snowfall.
• Hines Park (Westland) – Part of the Wayne County Parks system with good terrain for sliding.
• Robert C. Valade Park (Detroit) – Free sleds available during Winter at Valade weekends.
Ice skating – indoors and out
For indoor skating—weatherproof and ideal for lessons or public skate—check out:
• Kennedy Recreation Center (Trenton)
• Southgate Arena (Southgate)
• Yack Arena (Wyandotte)
• LPCC Ice Arena (Lincoln Park)
• Peak Ice Arena (Romulus)
Check websites first to ensure available and open times.
